This snake is named for its distinctive, sharp, fang-like teeth that resemble those of a dog’s canines, a feature that sets it apart from many other snakes. These long, pointed teeth are visible even when its mouth is closed, giving the snake a somewhat fierce appearance, but don’t let that fool you—this snake is generally shy and prefers to avoid humans. The dog-toothed cat snake is primarily found across parts of South and Southeast Asia, in countries such as India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It favors forested environments, especially tropical and subtropical rainforests, where it can easily climb trees and move through the dense foliage.
One of the most remarkable qualities of the dog-toothed cat snake is its arboreal lifestyle. It spends much of its time in trees, using its slender and flexible body to navigate branches with agility and precision. This climbing ability is enhanced by its keeled scales, which provide extra grip, and its long tail that helps balance. Being mostly nocturnal, the dog-toothed cat snake is most active at night when it hunts for food. Thanks to its large, round pupils that open wide in low light, it has excellent night vision, allowing it to spot prey in the darkest parts of the forest.
The dog-toothed cat snake uses mild venom to subdue its prey. Unlike some venomous snakes with powerful toxins, Boiga cynodon’s venom is not usually dangerous to humans but is effective in quickly immobilizing small animals. The snake’s rear fangs play an important role here; they are located further back in its mouth, so it must chew on its prey to deliver the venom properly. This hunting technique is quite different from that of front-fanged venomous snakes, making the dog-toothed cat snake’s feeding behavior unique and fascinating to observe. Despite having venom, this snake is generally not aggressive and prefers to retreat rather than confront threats.
Distribution
Brunei
Indonesia
Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
ThailandAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
